XV1100SE

Hope you are feeling better today !

Before anyone tries this on a second gen... someone else can chime in on this...but doesn't the 2nd gen OEM windscreen have a thin plastic film over the windscreen? If you try this method (especially the sand paper)....wouldn't it make things worse ?

We won't be able to make this week's ride. Have to pick my daughter up at Pearson at 4pm and wouldn't be able to get to Carl's for 6:30.

Pics of arm rests :

Carbon One (Larry) makes arm rests. I have a set on my bike. They flip up, not out. Work great ! I don't have to worry about Nancy falling off when she falls asleep !

Some interesting articles, tips, etc on the Ride Like a Pro site. https://www.ridelikeapro.com/motormans-articles/motorcycle-riding-tip-having-an-escape-path/ https://www.ridelikeapro.com/category/motormans-articles/ Youtube videos - http://www.youtube.com/user/motorman857/videos

Reminds me about what they say about Cisco network switches -"you can buy better, but not more expensive"

Reminds me of what they said about the first Ford cars (way before my time)..."you can have it in any colour you want as long as it is black". The Japanese manufacturers haven't built the dealer network that HD has. When we rode thru the States last year it seemed as though there was an HD dealer in every small and large town/city...almost on every corner (exagerating a bit). As for being responsive to customer requests, HD does provide lots of options on bikes, colours, comfort adjustments, clothing and trinkets. On the "80% of the bikes we see on the road are Harley's"... from our ride last year I'd have to agree with you for what you see in the States. Canada isn't as focused on HD's. I will add that 90% of the bike's we saw trailered last year (around Sturgis during bike week) were HD's, with the remaining 10% being Goldwings. "The owners I have talked to on these trips absolutely love them and have had no problems" - Its like reading customer reviews on Best Buy...people try to justify their purchases by praising what they bought. We do the same thing as Yamaha buyers. I've met a fair share of HD owners that hate their bikes and who have wives that won't ride with them because the bike is uncomfortable. Yes, we can point out design issues with things like the HD cam tensioners and the heat the engine puts out...but not every brand is perfect. RSV's came with cassette decks to the end of the model, still had carbs (sorry, nothing wrong with that in my opinion), and never had ABS...but you can't really flaw the Japanese design and quality. Per what Freebird and BigLenny said about dealers being good/bad/different... so true. Two dealers in my area. The one I deal with will greet me by name, and actually talk with me. They give me good service at a fair price and I've never had issues dealing with them. I've heard from someone that has used the other dealer that one time they had their bike their for service they dropped his bike during the service and didn't point out the damage or offer to replace broken parts. Keeping in mind that I have worked for Toyota for the past 24 years.... yes, the Japanese companies do have a different culture. It's all about improving quality, at reduced cost (to stay competitive), and have products that customers can rely on. In the automotive field, they have to stay competitive on features and they do a good job at it. We do a major model change every 3-4 years. Bikes are different though. Agreed Honda has continued to update the technology on their bikes and offer all the bells and whistles...as long as you pick one of three "packages". Yamaha on the other hand seem to refresh their models every 8-14 years. They've only recently update some of their bikes or come out with new models. Others, like the RSV, they've retired. Have to agree with this. Only one side of the story came out. A 6'x3' flag at highway speeds wouldn't handle too well to drive it that way, and at parade speeds wouldn't put that much strain on the drive train/clutch...unless he was was riding the clutch, revving it to keep it going, and did self inflicted damage. How many times have we heard of people taking courses like the "Ride Like a Pro" with a Venture and burned out the clutch? I don't remember the last time I saw a Harley commercial, and certainly longer since I've seen a Japanese manufacturer advertisement. People buy what their friends have. People brag about their bikes even if they don't like everything about them. Like peer pressure - "I've got one so you should get one too". Harley doesn't have to advertise...their clothing is seen on people that ride their bikes, and even on people that don't. And I too wave at non-motorcycle riders like scooters. It isn't what you ride, but that you are riding. That's why I don't understand HD and Wing riders being snobish about who they wave too. Sometimes they don't even wave to other HD riders just to be "cool". It's funny when we go to the coffee shop. In the parking lot you'll see one area where HD's will park together (even if they don't know the other riders), and in the other area of the lot you'll see everyone else. I'll park beside the HD's and get a funny look... and looks of admiration at my RSV. I think most of us comment on HD's because of their rider's attitudes...most are "posers", have to be loud to draw attention to themselves, and because they only wear HD clothing. On the other hand, most of the members here ride their bikes everywhere, no matter what the weather conditions, and the majority don't have to have anything louder than the OEM pipes. We've kidded Freebird about buying a HD... but he does have a nice looking bike. As long as he is happy with it, rides it, and enjoys it...all the power to him. He hasn't developed the HD "attitude" yet despite he can match his HD jacket to his socks. Sorry for the long post...but wanted to address the comments I've read.

LOL - I think your bike is a bit beyond the warranty period !

I'm finding that since it is still early in the season HD riders are still waiving. Give another week or two and it will only be the non-HD, non-Wing riders waving. I get a laugh out of the gear HD riders wear too. I think they buy the clothes and Harley throws in a bike. HD is a clothing company that sells bikes... aren't they? Went into the HD shop in Cody, Wy last summer looking for a trunk rack bag... no bikes, only a few bike accessories...sales girl was telling a woman she needed to buy the shirt she was looking at because it was new that year. I could have bought bar stools, dog collars/leash/toys, pool table, glasses, socks, underwear.... but they didn't have a single motorcycle in the place....and everything had HD logos. On a ride the other day we stopped for a coffee and a guy got out of an SUV and started talking with us. 2012 HD with 6k km on it...hates the bike. He said his girlfriend rode for two miles and won't get back on it - too uncomfortable. He said that to get the "Harley sound" he had to put Vance & Hines pipes on it. What the "H" is the Harley sound ? LOUD ????

Jeff - hope what you told him sunk in but somehow I doubt it. If it was one thing about the guy...but with the list you gave....might be a lost cause. The new laws in New Brunswick are pretty much the same in Ontario. Not sure if there is a law in Ontario for wearing "internationally certified" helmets - we do have a helmet law. There is probably an overall law for unsafe tires on any vehicle but doubt there is one specific to bikes. As for graduated licenses... I think they need to go a step further. My first bike was a KZ305 LTD (cruiser), second was a Virago 1100...then the RSV. I think learning to ride on a smaller bike and moving up to bigger or faster bikes in a gradual progression is best. How many times do we hear or see youtube videos of an inexperienced/new rider getting on a new or new to them bike and crashing it within the first mile? My son has been asking about bikes. He is 27 and as soon as he starts mentioning getting a crotch rocket I tell him what I think. Start with the motorcycle course, get a cruiser (VStar 650 for example)... and learn to ride. Like most young people he thinks about the GP races he's watched on tv and thought that it would be cool to ride like that and that he could just jump on a bike and be able to ride like that. I think too many young guys (under 40) think this way - why is it most women don't?

Maybe that is why passengers usually wear HD clothing ! That allows them to ride with passengers

The 2013 RSV sold for around $20k so that was actually a very good price...even though you got a cassette player for it. Can you imagine paying $32k+ for a bike... and not even getting a cb ? At least someone got three wheels for that money ! ehhh?

Did you check your petcock to make sure the fuel is on ? If you turned it to off it isn't getting fuel and will just click. Also...if your fuel is low and the main "tank" isn't high enough you might have to turn it to reserve.

That'll be a great trip. Enjoy !

9k ? Doesn't seem like you got much mileage out of it. Last set of E3's on my '09 I got 32k km (almost 20k miles) You do a lot of burn-outs on that bike ? Either that or a lot of rear lock-ups.

Nice looking bike and trailer ! I have an '09 and Tag-along trailer too. Hopefully when you get back we can get together.

Did you get the matching trailer?

Now that most of us have been riding for a while this season... just a reminder to check some of the common "loose nuts", bolts, and screws that come loose. Shifter bolt Trunk hinge mechanism screws Saddle bag hinge screws Saddle bag rails (front chrome piece) Seat nuts Steering heat (bounce test, or with bike lifted turn wheel 45* to the left and if it moves when released it's too loose) Any accessory added When I wash the bike I usually give the bike a going over checking these things. Good time to make sure everything is tight and to check lights and tire pressures.

Now that you've had it a while.... what is your opinion Carl ?

Better not let your wife read that ! As for speakers... yes, you can move them to the saddlebag lids. If you look at the Harley site, you'll see a kit available for Harley's. I'm sure one of the options below can be modified to work. http://www.harley-davidson.com/store/boom!-audio-saddlebag-speaker-kit http://www.harley-davidson.com/store/boom!-audio-saddlebag-speaker-kit-pa-08-76000489--1 J&M - https://www.denniskirk.com/j-and-m-corporation/7-1-4-in-harley-saddlebag-lid-speaker-kit-w-lids-and-hardware.p409419.prd/409419.sku Check this one - http://www.vtwinaudio.com/store/products/v-twin-audio-diy-harley-saddlebag-lid-speaker-kit/

If you haven't gone thru the article in the tech forum - http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=43898 Review your wiring and make sure you didn't loosen any wires (maybe you pulled the low beam sire loose). Also... make sure you add a relay or it puts strain on your ignition switch (as per tech article)

Good to post what bike you have ('07 RSV). You can change your profile so it has the info in your signature. See the write up by Dingy - http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=58880 There is an article in the read only 2nd Gen tech section on guages - http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=19119 Read this thread for checking the fan activation - http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=50543

Have you put the new clutch basket in? If that cures your problem then you don't have to do any dremeling or drilling.

Welcome to the forum ! We are in Kitchener, and as has been mentioned, there are several members in Ontario. Hope you can make it to Marcarl's next Saturday.